The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Content Warning: This play references sizeism, fascism, child neglect, and sexual harassment.

The protagonist of The Caucasian Chalk Circle is Grusha, a young, kind woman who works as a kitchen maid for the Governor’s family. Grusha is the most selfless of the characters in the play and is warned that her goodness will make her life even more difficult. The Cook tells her, “They’ll be more after [Michael] than after his mother. He’s the heir. Grusha, you’re a good soul. But you know you’re not too bright. I tell you, if he had the plague it couldn’t be worse” (51). Those who meet Grusha (and are not blinded by classism) are quick to see her kind heart is one of her most prominent character traits. It is this that causes many of her troubles throughout the play, but ultimately, she is rewarded for her selflessness.

There is no doubt that the audience should be rooting for Grusha. She is an archetypal maiden and mother, similar to the Virgin Mary. The Singer speaks of her, “How will the merciful escape the merciless/The bloodhounds, the trappers?” (53). The only time the Singer speaks to any of the characters in the play (as opposed to the audience), is to help Grusha and urge her to go back for Michael, who is in danger.